So, for 2010 I’ve been able to come up with one word that I want to define this year, my “action word”/mantra if you will.

MOVEMENT

2009 helped me figure out what I want & need. 2010 is about making it happen. Besides, I’m really done with the emotional roller coaster of 2009. I have learned much in this past year, even from the difficult moments. But I’m ready to move forward & to put what I’ve learned to work.

I’ve learned that to make things happen I need to focus on the steps rather than the end product. I need to do the little things that would result in the big thing. I need to stop freaking myself out with the enormity of a project or task & instead just look at the smaller steps/pieces that would get me there. Yes, taking one step at a time might result in completion taking longer, but honestly, I have a better chance of completing things. Every day, I need to take some kind of action, some kind of movement on the things I care about, the things I want to do in my life whether it be finishing this novel, doing more freelance work, or getting a full-time job that I like and that gives me financial security and stability. If I do just one thing every day, I’ll be one step closer to these things becoming a reality. Movement creates. Procrastination, fear, & inaction create stagnation.

So, I need to move every day. That’s the goal for 2010. MOVEMENT.

Oh, and if you’re looking for help on figuring out your word for 2010, check out Christine Kane’s blog and her free worksheet on finding your “Word of the Year.”

In lieu of New Year’s resolutions, I’ve decided to instead focus on 4 words that I want to be able to use to define my life at the end of 2009. The idea comes from Carrie McCarty & Danielle LaPorte who wrote this great book, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design. I picked it up at the end of the summer as a part of my quest to do some self-reflection & just some basic figuring out. Anyways, life got in the way & I really wasn’t in the mood to be too self-reflective, until last week when I picked the book back up & started going through it.

The book walks you through a personal inventory to create a style statement which is kind of like personal branding, I guess. Essentially you come up with 2 words that help define who you are. It’s not meant to restrict or limit you, but rather to get you to look at what you truly value & who you really are. At this point, I’m only about half-way through the exercises, so I don’t know what my style statement is yet. But, I’ve been checking out their website & they have a daily Q&A, and today’s question was “What word describes your desire for 2009?” I did some thinking & was only able to narrow it down to 4; but those 4 actually really define what I want to do this year. (more…)

At least Christmas is over. Got through it by ignoring it. I slept through Christmas Eve as I slept off the morphine. Christmas Day managed to be a non-event as I didn’t feel like going anywhere. My brother & I just stayed home watched movies & avoided the day. Worked out well. We agreed that next year we’ll make an effort, but this year it just wasn’t going to happen. The knee just made it easier to do that & get away with it.

Went to my writing group this morning. Nice to get out & to catch up. Not so much writing. I know, I know. I need to write. I need to get on it, but apparently I’m a master of avoidance. A theme these days I suppose.

On my own this evening. My brother & his girlfriend are off to see friends they haven’t seen since coming into town. I’ve been left with my supplies in reach: TV remote, laptop, books, magazines, assorted pain killers (although really haven’t needed them), water, & snacks. They took the dogs for a long walk & fed them before they left. They’re sleeping now. Hopefully that will remain the case until they get back. Otherwise if they’re looking for attention or to go out, I’m screwed; or rather they are. (more…)